I seem to be on a fiction kick lately. Maybe because it's my escape. Or maybe it's because I realize I need to spend some time being overtaken by the power of a story. In reality, it's probably a little bit of both. Deep Extraction by DiAnn Mills fit the bill of a story to escape in that showed me the power of a story.

I quickly devoured the first book in the FBI Task Force series - Deadly Encounter so that I could start Deep Extraction. Little did I know, I didn't need to read the first book first. Each story can stand alone. Each book in the series is built around an FBI task force and shares the story of how the agencies work together to solve a crime.

Deep Extraction shares the story of Tori Templeton, FBI Agent, as she teams up with Cole Jeffers, US Marshall. Together, Tori and Cole team up with Tori's partner Max. They work to solve the crime of a man they thought they knew.

Oil and gas magnet, Nathan Moore has been murdered by someone hacking his pacemaker. Though Tori and Cole are both longtime friends with Moore, they soon learn several startling and disappointing things about this man they once held in high regard.

Throughout the story, you are kept in suspense. The truth of what really caused the crime is a mystery you won't likely solve yourself. Though I caught glimpses and had begun to ask questions in the last quarter of the book, the final story only unraveled in the final chapters of the book as it wrapped up.

I loved the character development in this story. Both Tori and Cole had pain from their past to work through, as well as struggles through their current case. In Deep Extraction, you find realistic glimpses of what it looks like to work through some serious pains and questions.

This was a great read! I loved getting lost in Tori and Cole's story. Working to solve the crime was fun too.

I received a copy of this book from NetGalley and Tyndale House. This review is my own honest opinion.

Deep Extraction is Diann Mills newest FBI Task Force novel. This is one of my favorite of her Houston FBI stories. The plot, characters and who did it leaves you wondering throughout the book till the end. I never did figure it out!. I would say that is the mark of a great storyteller.

Nathan Moore's life included being an oil and gas magnate who loves to make money, has a wonderful wife and two sons. That is...until..his pacemaker is hacked and he is killed. What a perfect means of snuffing a life out basically leaving no trace. Days earlier one of Nathan;s oil rigs was a bombing target so now his death could possibly mean a bigger conspiracy. Special Agent Tori Templeton must untangle this web of deception, but her best friend is Nathan' s wife Sally. Can she separate the personal from the professional especially since Sally is the prime suspect. The plot continues to unravel with evidence of Nathan's past and very immoral behavior that the family is surprised to hear. Tori is teamed up with a Deputy US Marshall Cole Jeffers who is a family friend also. As they dig deeper, more people are killed when they get close to finding answers..will they be next.? Will they find the real killer and will they find each other?

What was the highlight of this story was how Tori and Cole both had past problems they were dealing with.

They both get into a theological discussion. Tori tells him she needs evidence in order to believe, even when it comes to proving her friend's innocence. One of her officers tells her "Things are rarely only as they seem. Your case, the people in your life, even your thoughts and fears have a purpose."

Thanks to Tyndale Publishers for this free copy just for my honest opinion.

Deep Extraction by DiAnn Mills is the story of Special Agent Tori Templeton who has been given what seems like an impossible task. Her best friend Sally Moore's husband has been murdered and Sally is the FBI's number one suspect. Tori is tasked with uncovering the truth no matter what her personal feelings are or the consequences it could have on her friendship. In hopes of solving the case, she is paired with her partner Max and Deputy US Marshall Cole Jeffers who is also a friend of the Moore family. The three of them must investigate if the previous bombing of one of Nathan Moore"s ( Sally's husband) oil rigs were connected to his murder and who murdered him. The only problem is that the more they dig into Nathan's past, the more secrets they uncover. Personal secrets that could prove that Sally had motive to kill her husband or to have him killed. Tori believes that her Best Friend is innocent but the deeper she gets into Nathans personal life, The more strain it puts on her friendship. Is Sally really innocent or is Tori's judgement being colored by her friendship. As more secrets comes to light, It appears that no one really knew the real Nathan Moore, Was he a loving and devoted husband, Hard working but compassionate boss, man with a secret life or all three?

Then as Tori and Cole were conducting part of the investigation, They are attacked by a gang. Tori is hurt but not as bad as Cole whose injuries are potentially fatal. As the world seems to spin out of control and this case seems hopeless, Will Tori be able find peace in the God that her brother knew and loved so much?

As the clues become fewer and the leads nowhere to be found, Will they allow the case to become cold, or will they be able to discover the truth about what happened to their friend ?

So Deep Extraction is the second book in the FBI Task Force Series but they are all (so far) stand alone books. The plot was so full of twists and turns that every time you thought that you figured out who murdered Mr. Moore, you find out that you were wrong. The plot grabs you from page one and does not let go until the very last page, ( and I mean the very LAST page. I thought that the case was solved, the book was over but then there was ANOTHER twist) I liked that the Author included Tori's struggle with her relationship with God. It demonstrated how even in the midst of complete chaos, God is still able to reach his children and remind them of how much he loves them. Overall I thoroughly enjoyed the book and would give it 5 out of 5 stars *****

I would like to thank Tyndale House Publishers for allowing me to read and review this book in return for a free copy and I was not asked to write a favorable review, Just a honest one.

DEEP. EXTRACTION by DiAnn Mills, FBI TASK FORCE series # 2

Tyndall Publishers. A bomb at an oil site, threats, was it murder, death of the husband of Tori best friend, Sally. The landscaper was also a friend of Nathan and Sally. Cole had just worked out with Nathan, no mention of health, or marriage, yesterday. A son calls and ask Cole to come, FBI agent Tori is there, but she may ask questions. The wife Sally, is a prime suspect, he asked for a divorce, putting on extra security guards. That doesn't sound like the person they knew. To help with the case Cole asks to be restated as a Marshall Deputy. Could the FBI Tori and Cole work together, and what was really going on with Nathan. Good flowing plot, that one could grasp easily as it unfolds. Characters well defined.

Another winner by DiAnn, of a family, friends, coming together to help solve the tragedy of a friend being murdered. Given ARC by Net Galley for my voluntary review and my honest opinion.

Exciting mystery, would highly recommend.